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Does Russia have huge superiority in strategic nuclear weapons – the powerful, long-range weapons which could wipe out rivals in World War 3?

Defence analyst Dr Mark Schneider of America’s National Institute for Public Policy claims that recent revelations show that Russia has ‘more than 3,300’ strategic nuclear weapons – twice what America has.

Author Dr. Peter Vincent Pry likens Russia’s superiority in strategic weapons to the period prior to World War III when Nazi Germany and Japan cheated on arms limitations treaties, in a piece for The Hill.

Surface tests were common in the 50s (Getty)

Arms race fears have soared after Washington said this month it was suspending its obligations under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) after alleged Russian violations.

Washington has started the process of quitting it, untying its hands to develop new missiles – leading to new fears of a Cold War-style arms race.

Vladimir Putin unveiled an array of new weapons last year which he billed as world-beating, including a hypersonic missile, a laser weapon, an underwater nuclear drone and a nuclear-powered cruise missile.

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Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said today that Nato must be prepared to face up to the new threat posed by a ‘resurgent’ Moscow following the collapse of the US-Russia intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty.

Vladimir Putin unveiled hi-tech new nuclear weapons last year (Getty)

The alliance ‘must develop its ability to handle the kind of provocations that Russia is throwing at us’, he said.

Setting out how he plans to spend some of the £1.8 billion extra funding for defence secured last year, Mr Williamson will promise a ‘very significant additional investment’ in cyber capabilities including improving the UK’s ability to carry out its own online attacks and protect against hackers.